“When I look at a building like this, I see a plan centered on providing students with a quality education and a strong foundation of knowledge,” Harpham said. “This groundbreaking presents a continued reminder of the strong commitment by this school to give undergraduates the very best educational experience. Without a doubt, this state-of-the-art space will be a recruitment tool for students like me in the future.”

“Our goals for growth are aggressive,” Daniel said. “The projects already under way, the project we begin today, and the projects to come in the near future are markers that point the way along a path toward great accomplishment and unparalleled success for UT Dallas.”

Dower brought greetings from the UT System Board of Regents and said MSET would be a “launching pad from which individuals spring forward into lives of accomplishment.”

Richardson Mayor Steve Mitchell, who was on hand in April when the campus broke ground for the new residence hall, shared memories of watching the campus and community grow together for 40 years.

Harpham concluded the ceremony with an upbeat, “Who’s ready to turn some dirt?” and called the crowd forward to take turns breaking ground for the innovative new building.

“I’m happy to host this groundbreaking today,” she said. “I only wish I could take classes in MSET. But I know that I’ll be back after I graduate, and hopefully I can see this beautiful building open. And maybe I’ll enjoy a lecture one more time, for old time’s sake.”

Helping kick off construction were members of the team that helped plan the new building (from left): Dr. Scott Rippel, senior biology lecturer; Dr. Cynthia Ledbetter, professor of science-math education; Dr. David E. Daniel, president of UT Dallas; Dr. John Ferguson, associate professor of geoscience; Dr. Joseph Izen, professor of physics; and Dr. Myron Salamon, dean of the School of Natural Sciences & Mathematics.

Speakers included (from left) UT System Student Regent Ben Dower and
Dean Myron Salamon of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.

Students attending the groundbreaking ceremony heard how the new building’s design would enhance learning in mathematics and science.